SALTILLO, Miss. (WTVA) -- You might not believe it, but 425 pounds was once the reality of Mississippi native Patrick house but it's also a reality he wants to keep from happening to others in Mississippi so hes using his biggest loser platform to teach healthy habits at a young age.
"This cardboard cutout came from a people magazine photo shoot i did earlier in the year, and when we got done i asked if i could take it home to take into schools to show kids how big i really was when i left Mississippi," says Biggest Loser Patrick House.
He says the reaction from the kids when they see the cut out is his favorite part of speaking to them, but he does it to ensure kids are being healthy which is why Saltillo Elementary wanted house to speak to their children.
"I just thought it would be a great opportunity and learning lesson for our students, because the earlier we can start teaching our students about healthy choices hopefully the better choices they will make the older they get," says counselor Farrah Criswell.
The program house teaches is called lean on me it gives students insight on how to make healthy choices and how to be active but not work out.
"The exercise for their age doesn't mean going to a gym it's all about playing and having fun at this age," says Criswell.
House says if kids can learn healthy habits now it will prevent them from getting where he was, but he says no matter the age he is proof that healthy habits can be learned and the unthinkable could turn into a reality.
"When i was a bigger size I didn't like to ride in a car for 26.2 miles," says House. "Through the biggest loser when i made the final 4 i had to complete the biggest loser marathon and since then i have run in the Boston marathon twice and running it again in April for the 3rd time."
